Firefox 4 is unusable due to excessive Memory usage - when is the fix?

There are just so many people complaining about Firefox 4 - all with the same basic problem - Firefox 4 consumes far-too much memory and appears to increase memory usage over time.

So far I have heard NOTHING from Mozilla regarding this problem.

Have Mozilla identified the problem?
Is there a work around?
When will there be a permanent fix?

There are just so many people complaining about Firefox 4 - all with the same basic problem - Firefox 4 consumes far-too much memory and appears to increase memory usage over time.
So far I have heard NOTHING from Mozilla regarding this problem.
Have Mozilla identified the problem?
Is there a work around?
When will there be a permanent fix?

Application

More Information

There are just so many people complaining about Firefox 4 - all with the same basic problem - Firefox 4 consumes far-too much memory and appears to increase memory usage over time.So far I have heard NOTHING from Mozilla regarding this problem.Have Mozilla identified the problem?Is there a work around?When will there be a permanent fix?

As I've said before, memory leaks are always epidemic with a voluntary software development organization. No one likes to track down memory leaks, it simply isn't sexy enough. See, gurus don't do memory leaks, they design and prototype and then get some other "flunkie" to clean up the details. Anyone who has worked a development environment knows this.

As I've said before, memory leaks are always epidemic with a voluntary software development organization. No one likes to track down memory leaks, it simply isn't sexy enough. See, gurus don't do memory leaks, they design and prototype and then get some other "flunkie" to clean up the details. Anyone who has worked a development environment knows this.

I have only one tab that is always open (gmail.com) and I have only one plugin enabled (Adobe Flash) and only three extensions installed (NoScript, FlashGot, User Agent Switcher). After surfing for few hours and closing all but one tab, Firefox 4 and 5 uses ~160 MB private memory! And it's not even related to Adobe Flash, because it's running in plugin-container.exe. I have never ever seen so huge memory usage with 3.6 and I don't see any major improvement in 4+ over 3.6. Obviously, while adding useless stuff into browser, Mozilla added loads of memory leaks. I'm unhappy Chrome user now. At least it's not so memory-hungry.

I have only '''one''' tab that is always open (gmail.com) and I have only '''one''' plugin enabled (Adobe Flash) and only '''three''' extensions installed (NoScript, FlashGot, User Agent Switcher). After surfing for few hours and closing '''all''' but one tab, Firefox 4 and 5 uses ~160 MB '''private''' memory! And it's not even related to Adobe Flash, because it's running in plugin-container.exe. I have never ever seen so huge memory usage with 3.6 and I don't see any major improvement in 4+ over 3.6. Obviously, while adding useless stuff into browser, Mozilla added loads of memory leaks. I'm unhappy Chrome user now. At least it's not so memory-hungry.

Firefox 5 is no better, nor do we get any better answers. I'm sick of people blaming it on users, extensions and web sites.
"It's the browser, stupid"
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/837653

The techies are working away at trying to fix memory problems, one fix has resolved several bugs and will be in Firefox 7. Firefox 7 moves to the Aurora channel next week and should be released fully in September.

Improved memory management: For many users, memory use is reduced by 30 percent or more, responsiveness is enhanced
The JavaScript garbage collector runs frequently to free up more memory when Firefox is idle

The techies are working away at trying to fix memory problems, [http://blog.mozilla.com/nnethercote/2011/06/29/memshrink-progress-week-2/ one fix] has resolved several bugs and will be in Firefox 7. Firefox 7 moves to the Aurora channel next week and should be released fully in September.
----
Update, <br> Firefox 7 Aurora release [http://blog.mozilla.com/futurereleases/2011/07/07/firefoxaurora7/ Blog - 7th July] is saying:
Optimized Memory Use:
Improved memory management: For many users, memory use is reduced by 30 percent or more, responsiveness is enhanced
The JavaScript garbage collector runs frequently to free up more memory when Firefox is idle

In my experience It's the plugins we use that consume so much ram over time. I now use "Memory Fox" Which reduces my ram consumption from 929MB to under 200MB at all times.

(no I'm not the creator of the plugin) Ha Ha

I hope someone finds this useful. Mozilla team keep up the good work.

In my experience It's the plugins we use that consume so much ram over time. I now use "Memory Fox" Which reduces my ram consumption from 929MB to under 200MB at all times.
(no I'm not the creator of the plugin) Ha Ha
I hope someone finds this useful. Mozilla team keep up the good work.

solves the crashing problem, in which case try re-enabling extensions to find the guilty party

or firefox still crashes, in which case your new question may be considered suitable for filing a bug, or provide enough info to find an existing one relating to the problem

For diagnostics of memory problems type in about:memory in the location bar, in the most recent versions of firefox that provides a lot of information, showing what is using up your memory.

If you actually get a crash I suggest
* start your own thread about the crash - bay all means cross linc to or from this thread if you think it helps
* see the tips and suggestions in [[firefox crashes]]
** please ensure you post recent crash ID s in your post
** consider using the template question linked from the above linked article
As for diagnostics, of crashes I think mainly it is a hard slog and try manually to use [[safe mode and disable all plugins]]
* that either
*#solves the crashing problem, in which case try re-enabling extensions to find the guilty party
*# or firefox still crashes, in which case your new question may be considered suitable for filing a bug, or provide enough info to find an existing one relating to the problem
For diagnostics of memory problems type in ''about:memory'' in the location bar, in the most recent versions of firefox that provides a lot of information, showing what is using up your memory.